​Evaluation of Bio-control Agents and Organic Amendments for Managing Root Rot (Rhizoctonia solani) of Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)

Background: Root rot of clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] caused by Rhizoctonia solani is an important menace and causes significant economic losses in India and chemical pesticides are mostly used to overcome this problem. As per environment and health issues and demand of organic produce, the current study aimed to find the most effective control measure of this dreaded disease through eco-friendly approaches. Methods: The present field-laboratory investigations were conducted during 2018, to evaluate four bio-agents in vitro and in vivo (Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and five organic amendments in vivo namely wool waste (@ 50 q/ ha), human hair (@ 50 q/ ha), mustard cake (@ 5 q/ ha), castor cake (@ 6 q/ ha) and neem cake (@ 5 q/ ha) were evaluated. Result: Our investigations in vitro with bio-agents depicted that T. harzianum was highly inhibitory (62.65 %) followed by T. viride (48.52%). Seed-cum-soil application (6g/kg seed + 6kg/ha) of T. harzianum was found most superior in reducing disease incidence (74.03%) followed by Trichoderma viride (69.83%) while in organic amendments, neem cake (5 q/ha) was found highly effective (70.07%) followed by castor cake (64.40%), mustard cake, wool waste and least effective was human hair. Though, wool waste and human hair least effective in disease management but preliminarily results indicated encouraging response with dual action, one in reducing disease and another in increasing plant biomass that open the future scope of further more sustainable experimentations. The findings of this study can be utilized to manage the disease effectively and eco-friendly.

Integrated Nutrient Management on Fodder Dual Purpose Oat (Avena sativa L.)

Aim: To study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth, yield and quality of dual purpose fodder oat. Study Design: Randomized Block Design. Place and Duration of Study: Anand Agricultural University, Anand during Rabi 2019-2021. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with four replications. The experimental treatments were consisted of ten INM treatments viz., T1 (100% recommendation dose of fertilizer; RDF’ 80-40-00 kg NPK/ha), T2 (10 t FYM/ha + 100% RDF), T3 (castor cake/ha + 100% RDF), T4 (poultry manure/ha + 100% RDF), T5 (neem cake/ha + 100% RDF), T6 (5 t FYM + 25% RDN from FYM + 75% RDF + biofertilizer), T7 (5 t FYM + 25% RDN from castor cake + 75% RDF + biofertilizer), T8 (5 t FYM + 25% RDN from poultry manure + 75% RDF + biofertilizer), T9 (5 t FYM + 25% RDN from neem cake + 75% RDF + biofertilizer) and T10 (50% RDN from FYM + 50% RDN from castor cake + biofertilizer). Amount of castor cake, poultry manure and neem cake were applied based on 10 t FYM/ha equivalent N, i.e., respectively 1.45, 3.23 and 3.27 t/ha. Results: The results revealed that quality parameters of fodder oat such as dry matter, dry matter yield, crude protein, ADF, NDF, crude fiber contents as well as ash content of green fodder and straw were found significant superior with application of T6 and T10 treatments. Similarly, NPK content and their uptake into the seed and straw were also found significantly higher with the same treatments. The physicochemical and biological properties of experimental field soil at harvest of oat crop were also considerably improved due to application of INM treatment as compared to initial soil nutrient status.

GOATS FED DETOXIFIED CASTOR CAKE IN DIFFERENT PHYSIOLOGICAL STAGES: II. NUTRITIONAL PARAMETERS, HEPATIC AND RENAL

Evaluated the influence of the substitution of soybean meal (SM) by detoxified castor cake (DCC) on the intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, nitrogen balance and function hepatic and renal of goats fed with diets containing DCC by alkaline solutions in confinement regime during different stages of biological development (growth, pregnancy and lactation). The treatments consisted of three diets, a formulated with corn and soybean meal (SM) and the others were formulated with detoxified castor cake by calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2 DCC) and another composed by detoxified castor by DCC of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). In relation to the biological stages, we observed higher intakes of DM and all the nutrients by goats during lactation, representing up to 4% of body weight. In relation to renal and hepatic parameters showed that there was interaction between the diets and biological stages on the levels of total proteins, direct bilirubin, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase. In a general way, the goats fed with both castor cake, regardless of the stage evaluated had higher levels. The detoxified castor cake by alkaline solutions in replacement of soybean meal proved to be a viable alternative in the feeding of goats in the three-stage biological, because it does not affect the functionality of the liver and kidney function and the nitrogen balance, in spite of the diets formulated with detoxified castor by sodium hydroxide decrease the intake of dry matter and nutrients.

Area wide management of white grub Holotrichia consanguinea Blachard through IPM modules in groundnut

Field experiments were conducted on groundnut for white grub Holotrichia consanguinea Blachard management using different IPM components in Gujarat during kharif 2018 and 2019. Two different eco-friendly modules were evaluated and compare with farmers practices. In Module I included on set of monsoon, spraying of chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 0.04% on surrounding trees, seed treatment of chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 20 ml/kg, Placement of aggregation pheromone on host tree (5 block/tree), Soil application of Beauveria bassiana @ 5 kg ha-1 (Min. 2 x 106 CFU/g) + castor cake (250 kg ha-1) before sowing, Application of B. bassiana @ 5 kg ha-1 in plant row with FYM (250 kg ha-1) after 30 days of germination. While Module II used Metarhizium anisopliae instead of B. bassiana. While in farmers practices included application of chlorpyriphos 10 G @ 10 kg ha-1 with urea at initiation of pest attack. Among the evaluated two ecofriendly module and farmers practices the lowest per cent plant mortality (3.03 %) and 0.56 grub/m2 was recorded in Module II. The highest pod and halum yield 2180 and 3942 kg ha-1, yield increase over control 31.00 and 39.37 %, avoidable loss 23.67 and 28.25% was recorded in module II. The maximum (32474 Rs/ha) net realization was found in the treatment of Module II. Looking to the NICBR, the highest (1:5.35) return was obtained with the treatment of Module II followed by Module I (1:2.93)

Organic amendments with and without a synthetic nematicide for the management of Heterodera avenae in wheat

Summary This experiment was conducted in the screenhouse of the Department of Nematology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India, in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 during the Rabi (winter) season to evaluated organic amendments with and without nematicide for the management of the cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avenae, in wheat. Organic amendments – castor cake, neem cake, vermi compost and farmyard manure (FYM), individually or with Carbofuran 3G (25 mg pot−1) – were applied in pots 10 days before sowing. All organic amendments significantly reduced the nematode population compared to the inoculated control in both years. The higher doses of the amendments were better at controlling H. avenae than the lower dose. Among the organic amendments, neem cake significantly reduced nematode reproduction compared to other amendments. Significantly fewer cysts, 75 (kg soil)−1, were found in treatment with neem cake at 20 g (kg soil)−1 combined with nematicide. The greatest plant growth parameters were observed under castor cake at 20 g (kg soil)−1 in combination with nematicide. Combined applications of organic amendments with the synthetic nematicide were better than without nematicide.

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON GROWTH PARAMETERS OF MEDICINAL COLEUS (COLEUS FORSKOHLII BRIQ.)

Medicinal coleus (Coleus forskohlii Briq.) is one of the commercial Indian medicinal herb. It plays an important role in medicinal industry. The demand of tuberous roots is very high, but the productivity is very low. Therefore the integrated nutrient management could help in achieving higher growth in medicinal coleus. Thus, an experiment was conducted to know the “Effect of Integrated nutrient management on growth of medicinal coleus (Coleus forskohlii Briq.)” at Sirukalathur village, Ariyalur District - Tamilnadu during the year 2018-2020. A field experiment was consist of different combination of nutrients viz., recommended dose of fertilizers, farmyard manure, neem cake, castor cake and bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum and Azotobacter). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 10 treatments and three replications. Among these various treatments tried, plants supplied with T5 (75 % RDF + FYM @ 15 t ha-1 + Castor cake @ 2 t ha-1 + Azotobacter @10 kg ha-1) was recorded maximum growth parameters viz., plant height, number of branches plant-1, plant spread, number of leaves plant-1, leaf area plant-1, LAI, fresh and dry weight of leaves and shoots plant-1 and dry matter production

Effect of Organic Sources on Biological Properties of Vertisols in Cotton

A field experiment was conducted at the farm of Cotton Research Unit, Central Research Station, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, during kharif season 2015-16 to study the effect of organic cotton on biological properties of vertisols. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications and 10 treatments comprising organic sources viz. (T1 – Farm yard manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha-1, T2 - vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1, T3 - FYM @10 t ha-1, T4 - vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1, T5 - In-situ green manuring with sunhemp, T6 - Castor cake @ 500 kg ha-1, T7 - FYM (source of 15 kg P2O5) + green manuring with sunhemp, T7 - FYM (source of 15 kg P2O5) + green manuring with sunhemp, T8 - Neem cake @ 500 kg ha-1, T9 - FYM 5 t ha-1 + Neem cake @ 500 kg ha-1 and T10 - Absolute Control). Results revealed that application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 recorded significantly highest bacterial, fungal population during flowering and boll bursting stages of cotton. However, highest actinomycetes population was recorded by the application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 at flowering stage and FYM @ 10 t ha-1 at boll bursting stage of cotton. Significantly highest seed cotton yield was obtained with the concentrated organic manure i.e. Neem cake @ 500 kg ha-1 and remained at par with Castor cake @ 500 kg ha-1, FYM 5 t ha-1 + Neem cake @ 500 kg ha-1.

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON YIELD PARAMETERS OF MEDICINAL COLEUS (COLEUS FORSKOHLII BRIQ.)

Medicinal coleus is one of the most important medicinal crop in India. It plays an important role in medicinal industries. The demand of tuberous roots are high but the production is low. Therefore, the research was conducted to know the “Effect of Integrated nutrient management on yield of medicinal coleus (Coleus forskohlii Briq.)” at Sirukalathur village, Ariyalur District – Tamilnadu during 2018-2020. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications. The plants are treated by using different combination of organic manures (Fym, neem cake and castor cake) and inorganic fertilizers (NPK) along with bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum and Azotobacter). Among these various treatments the plants treated by T5 (75 % RDF + FYM @ 15 t ha-1 + Castor cake @ 2 t ha-1 + Azotobacter @10 kg ha-1) is influenced the yield attributes of medicinal coleus like, maximum number of tuberous roots plant-1, root length, root girth and fresh and dry weight of tuberous roots ha-1

Growth and performance curve of dairy goats fed with detoxified castor bean cake by different alkaline solutions

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the substitution of soybean meal (SM) by detoxified castor cake (DCC) by two alkaline products on intake, performance and on the growth curve of goat’s kids. 24 were used, Saanen goats (n=12) and Anglo Nubian (n=12), with initial body weight of 16.2±0.67 kg, initial age of 3 months and confined during the growth phase. The treatments consisted of three diets: a standard diet formulated with a traditional protein source, the soybean meal (SM); and test diets, which consisted of a protein source alternative, differing detoxification processes, on the basis of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, in factorial 3 x 2 (diet SM, Ca(OH)2 DCC and NaOH DCC x Saanen and Anglo Nubian) totaling six sessions with four replicates each. The experimental period lasted 270 days. The non-linear models used were the Gompertz and Logistic. There was no effect (P < 0.05) of diets on the intake of nutrients, but there was no effect (P > 0.05) of breeds and interaction between both factors. The intake of DM during the phase of growth was greater for the goats fed with SM. There was no effect (P>0.05) of diets nor of the breeds in the ADG. Feed conversion was influenced (P < 0.05) by the diets, in which the goats fed diets with DCC presented better feed conversion. It has been observed that both models had good adjustments, with values numerically superior to 90%, however, the logistic model showed higher R2 and, at the same time, asymptotic index (AI). Despite the ADG be equal, the breeds presented absolute growth rate (AGR) vary over time, where the Saanen goats reached the peak first (181 days), with AGR of 0.14 kg day-1. However, even the goats Anglo Nubian reaching the highest peak late, the AGR was higher, around 0.16 kg day-1 higher than the Saanen. Both castor cake has the potential to replace the SM on a diet of goat’s kids during the growth phase. The mathematical model of Logistics estimates more accurately the growth of Saanen goats and Anglo Nubian, being that the rate of absolute growth is greatest in goats Anglo Nubian.

Chlorophyll fluorescence in castor bean fertilized with castor cake and nickel

The objective of this work was to evaluate the chlorophyll fluorescence of castor bean in response to fertilization with castor bean and nickel. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment at the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, in factorial 4x4, with four doses of castor cake: 0; 1.0; 2.0 and 3.0 t ha-1 and four concentrations of Nickel: 0; 4.0; 8.0 and 12.0 mg L-1, with four replicates. At 60 and 85 days of cultivation was evaluated the chlorophyll fluorescence of the castor bean plants cv. BRS Energia. The Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo and Fo/Fm ratios were influenced by castor cake doses at 60 and 85 days. While foliar application of nickel at 60 days influenced only Fv/Fo, and at 80 days only Fo was not affected. Increasing castor cake doses reduces the photosynthetic efficiency of the castor bean plants, but does not damage the integrity of PSII. Foliar applications of nickel up to 12 mg L-1 increase the photosynthetic capacity of the castor bean at 85 days of cultivation.